Adams County deputy charged with assault after allegedly kicking suspect off roof

Posted on 04/14/2017

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) - An Adams County Sheriff's Deputy is facing an assault charge after witnesses said he kicked a defendant off a roof during a foot chase.

James Cook, 33, made his first court appearance during a bond hearing this afternoon. He's charged with second-degree assault causing serious bodily injury, a class four felony.

According to the affidavit, on March 21 around 3 p.m., several officers from multiple agencies responded to the 12000 block of WCR 4 to locate a domestic violence suspect, Alejandro Martinez. Officers from the Brighton Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff's Office said Martinez ran away when they made contact. They found him about an hour later on the rooftop of an outbuilding on the property.

After refusing to come down, Cook, an Adams County K9 handler, climbed onto the roof to arrest Martinez. During the confrontation, Martinez fell off the roof and was taken into custody by officers on the ground. He was then transported to Good Samaritan in Lafayette where doctors determined he had a broken pelvis.

Cook told officers that he lost his footing and slid down the roof into the suspect, which caused him to fall. But two witnesses, a Brighton police officer and a nearby homeowner, said they saw Cook intentionally kick Martinez off the roof.

The Weld County District Attorney's Office formally charged Cook with second-degree assault on April 13 following an investigation by the Weld County Sheriff's Office.

Cook's bond was set at $5,000. His next court appearance will be determined at a later date.